From soft golden sand to black and even red-sand beaches, Maui offers honeymoon couples an amazing choice of gorgeous beaches.
Choose from more than 80 stunning beaches that fringe Maui’s idyllic coastline, including the following…
(West Maui) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this 2.5km-long beach that stretches along the northern coast of West Maui.
This one-time royal retreat is famous for its sunsets and is edged by a walkway that links the lush palm-fringed gardens of several luxury hotels with open-air restaurants and the Whaler Shopping Centre.
Kaanapali is rated the best beach for water sports action in Maui, with a huge range of activities on offer, including snorkelling, kayaking, catamaran sailing, fishing, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing and seasonal surfing.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe, people-watch from the section in front of the Whalers Village (more commonly known as Dig Me Beach) and enjoy prime snorkelling among colourful tropical fish at Black Rock, a lava headland separating Kaanapali from the equally gorgeous Kahekili Beach.
Facilities include outdoor showers, restrooms, lifeguards, restaurants and a wide array of water sports.
A choice of luxury hotels sit in manicured gardens facing the beach including the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, the Sheraton Maui Resort and the Kaanapali Alii Hotel.
More about Kaanapali Beach…
(West Maui) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and relax on this 2.5km-long stretch of golden sand that starts from the black lava rocks that divide the beach from neighbouring Kaanapali beach. Quiet Kahekili is a good alternative to more crowded Kaanapali.
Kahekili Beach offers fine, golden sand and great swimming. However, there is no snorkeling here, including the southern section where the black rock lava outcropping is located. Swimming around the outcropping to get to Black rock and Kaanapali beach is not safe as the deep ocean waters are prone to currents.
Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguards and a covered picnic area in a large palm-fringed garden.
(West Maui) – Sunbathe on the soft golden sand of this long and wide beach that shelves steeply into turquoise waters that offer ideal swimming conditions and near perfect waves for body surfing and surfing in winter.
At other times, relax in the shade of ironwood trees, swim in the calm waters or snorkel beneath the rocky tree-clad promontories that frame this perfect cove at Makaluapuna Point.
Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguards and a shady picnic area. Part of the beach fronts the elegant 5-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel – the perfect spot to sip a cocktail and enjoy a magical Maui sunset.
(West Maui)
Unwind on this gorgeous crescent of golden sand that lies beneath grassy lawns dotted with swaying palm trees. The beach shelves into turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.
Wander along the beachside path and climb up to the Dragon’s Teeth promontory for panoramic coastal views. Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguards and a watersports kiosk. Come for a day or relax in comfort at the nearby Napili Kai Beach Resort.
(West Maui) – Sunbathe on the soft golden sands on this gorgeous beach facing the warm, calm waters of Napili Bay. Facilities include showers as well as restrooms, bars and restaurants at the beachfront Napili Kai Beach Resort; there are no lifeguards on the beach.
(South Shore) – Choose your own spot to sunbathe on the long and wide golden sands of these three beaches that stretch along the south coast near the town of Kihei.
These three beaches are separated by black, jagged lava rock outcrops and offer safe swimming with good snorkelling, fishing and seasonal winter waves for surfers.
Facilities include volleyball nets, barbecues, toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbecue grills and a children’s playground at Kamaole III. The nearby town of Kihei is home to several hotels.
(South Shore) – Pamper yourself on this crescent of soft golden sand that fronts the luxurious Four Seasons Maui Resort and the nearby Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
Fringed by a grassy hill and stretching between bush-clad lava headlands, this gorgeous beach shelves into crystalline waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and bodysurfing the gentle breaks around the rocky headlands.
If Wailea becomes too crowded for your taste simply follow a scenic path over the headlands to a string of more secluded beaches. Wailea Beach offers magical sunsets overlooking the nearby islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokini and the chance to spot humpback whales from December to April.
Facilities include parasols, sun loungers, toilets, showers, bars and restaurants provided for guests by the nearby hotels.
(South Shore) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this gorgeous palm-fringed beach that offers consistently good swimming conditions as well as superb views to nearby Kahoolawe, Lanai islands and the mountains of West Maui.
This 1200 metre long beach is a good alternative to nearby Wailea Beach. Facilities include showers only; there are no lifeguards on duty.
(South Shore) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this 30m-wide, 1000m-long crescent of golden sand that shelves into calm, turquoise water just perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
Brush up your tan in the hot sun or unwind in the shade of green kiawe trees that fringe the sand dunes of this gorgeous beach that is also known locally as Big Beach or Oneloa Beach.
Snorkel at the foot of Puu Olai, a dramatic 120m-high cinder cone at the northern end of the beach that provides great coastal views overlooking the offshore islet of Kahoolawe and the Molokini Crater. A hillside path leads to the historic Keawalai Congregational Church.
Facilities include showers, restrooms and picnic tables on a shady grassy area; there are no lifeguards on duty. Pack a picnic and come for a day or be pampered at the nearby Makena Beach and Golf Resort.
A short walk over the steep headland leads to Little Beach, a clothing optional strip of golden sand.
(South Shore) – This small 200 metre long beach, also known as Little Beach, is separated from Big Beach by a steep lava outcropping (the tip of Puʻu Olai) – just a 5-minute walk away.
Little Beach is one of the few beaches in Hawaii where police tolerate nude sunbathing (another is Red Sand Beach near Hāna).
Visit on Sunday afternoons/evenings to see traditional drumming and fire dancing. Pack your own food and drink for a picnic as there are no facilities here except for portable toilets
(North Shore) – This wide golden-sand beach is perfect for body boarding with long continuous waves washing onto this gorgeous beach that sits in front of Baldwin Park on the Hana Highway between Sprecklesville and Paia.
If the waves are too rough for swimming, head to the so-called ‘baby beach’, a long, shallow protected rock pool at the Kahului end of the beach.
Relax in the shade of beachfront ironwood trees or in the large pavilion and stroll along the water's edge to enjoy the stunning scenery of the West Maui Mountains.
Facilities include restrooms, showers, lifeguards, a large pavilion and grassy area with picnic tables, a baseball diamond and a soccer field.
(North Shore) – Discover one of the world’s top spots for windsurfing. A coral reef protects a small area close to shore for morning swims and snorkelling when the sea is calm.
Facilities include restrooms, showers, pavilions, picnic tables and barbecue grills, but no lifeguards.
(East Shore) – Unwind on this 30m-wide crescent of secluded grey coral sand that nestles beneath tree-clad cliffs in a lush tropical setting facing Hana Bay, with perfect conditions in summer for swimming and snorkelling.
The 270m-long beach is also a popular surfing and bodysurfing area during the winter season. Come for a day or stay longer at the beachfront Hotel Hana-Maui.
Facilities include restrooms, picnic facilities as well as those offered by the hotel; there are no lifeguards on duty. Hamoa Beach is located along the Hana Highway.
(Images courtesy of www.hawaiigaga.com and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau)
Latest update: Best Beaches in Maui: 13 January, 2023
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